Danish Driver Dies in Le Mans Race

Danish racing driver
Allan Simonsen
has died following a crash on the Circuit de la Sarthe at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France.

Mr. Simonsen was driving the #95 Aston Martin when he spun off the track at high speed and collided with a barrier.

The accident occurred on the 34-year old driver's fourth lap, just nine minutes into the race. Medics were quickly on the scene and a safety car was deployed.

The event's organizer, the Automobile Club de l'Ouest, released a statement later through its website to announce the fatality: "In a serious condition, Allan Simonsen was transferred immediately to the Circuit Medical Center where he died soon after due to his injuries… The Automobile Club de l'Ouest will make no further statement while the exact reasons for the accident are still being wholly determined."

Mr. Simonsen had raced seven times at Le Mans, the world's most famous automobile endurance race, which is held on closed off public roads every June. The event is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year.

According to a Reuters report, Mr. Simonsen was quoted the day before his death about the race. "Just being at Le Mans and to be allowed to drive the car on the track is incredibly special," he said. "It's the biggest race for us."

Le Mans has a storied past of heroism and death. In 1955, the event was the sight of the worst car racing crash in history. Roughly 90 people were killed (exact numbers vary according to reports) when a car left the track and crashed into the crowd. In recent decades, safety precautions have been vastly improved. No driver has died at Le Mans since 1997.

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com.